Gubernatorial leadership on US climate action is encouraging

WASHINGTON, DC, 6 June – IETA applauds the formation of the US Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors from across the country.

Following last week’s announcement by President Donald Trump that the United States will be withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the governors of 12 states, along with Puerto Rico, have announced their intention to work together to further climate actions.

This builds on existing state efforts, including California’s carbon market and the north-east’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap-and-trade system for power generators. Both of these efforts were formed in the wake Federal inaction on climate change.

“RGGI states and California joining with several others to form the US Climate Alliance provides an opportunity for their existing state carbon markets to expand and potentially converge,” says IETA President and CEO Dirk Forrister.

“These governors recognise that businesses and governments working together can tackle the climate challenge as we continue to grow our economies and create jobs. IETA and its business members stand ready to help states take the lead and make the most of the opportunities before us.”